The fonds consists of records created by Ratner in the process of conceptualizing, developing and running public programming and extension services at the Museum of Anthropology. Initially, the duties of the Extension Curator were coordinating the development of in-house exhibits, non-credit educational programming, extension activities and publicity. Programming included performances, workshops, lectures, non-credit courses, museum tours, identification clinics and audio-visual presentations, often in conjunction with the Center for Continuing Education. Ratner organized local and international cultural excursions, including acting as a tour escort. Ratner was responsible for coordinating special events and lectures in conjunction with exhibits, and from 1980 was responsible for administering travelling exhibitions. Other extension activities included print exhibits in Vancouver office spaces, installations in off-campus locations such as the Vancouver Airport, and the Special Prison Extension Project.

Communications duties included production of the calendar of events and publicity circulars. Other duties included preparation of grant applications, managing staff, including student interns, budgeting, preparing reports, and assisting film and video production use of museum space and collections.Public relations activities included establishing contacts with media representatives, promoting exhibits and other special events, producing news releases, distributing calendars of events and brochures, arranging staff interviews with media and soliciting publicity.

The fonds consists of records generated by the Museum of Anthropology Public Relations and Communications Office in the course of carrying out its mandated functions and activities. In addition to textual records, the fond also includes graphic material. The records are composed of correspondence, publications, reports, press releases, photocopied newspaper clippings, minutes of staff, committee, and association meetings, and other materials relating to the activities and functions of the Public Relations and Communications Office and its staff.